Samaritan Celebrates December 2021 DAISY and BEE Award Recipients
Published on: January 13, 2022
Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for December 2021. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support patient care.
Kelly Harrienger, RN, Float Pool, received the DAISY Award and Suzanne Haight, Clinic Office Support, Samaritan Pulmonology, was honored with the BEE Award. Both staff members were nominated by Samaritan colleagues.
Harrienger was chosen to receive the DAISY Award for her dedication to Samaritan, her patients and the community, and for her bravery amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She has helped administer many monoclonal antibody infusions, which help patients recover from COVID-19.
“During this time, as nurses flee healthcare, Kelly has stepped up and faced the storm with sincerity and determination,” her nomination letter reads. “Instead of fearing COVID, she applies her PPE, dons her N95, and commits herself to providing the best possible care. The most recent data shows that we have delivered over 520 doses, with only 4% of patients requiring hospitalization—that means 500 people with COVID who had the chance of being hospitalized were not.”
For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Harrienger was presented a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse, a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this sculpture is on display in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.
Haight received the BEE Award for her mentorship to other staff, positivity, and compassion. Her nomination was submitted by a new staff member.
“From my very first day, Suzanne has gone above and beyond to help me settle into my new position,” the letter reads. “She is always quick with a smile, is a beam of positivity, and is always empathetic with coworkers and patients alike. She is always willing to help out, is constantly learning and teaching people new things, and I cannot imagine work without her.”
Haight was presented a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.
Both awards will continue to be presented throughout the year, and nominations can be submitted by patients, families, or colleagues at any time. To make a nomination, or to learn more about the DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.